Prognosis

After the professional removal of the earwax, a complete restoration of the original hearing ability can usually be expected. Occasionally there are minor, painful injuries to the mucous membrane, but these usually do not require further treatment. Often, the blockage of the auditory canal by earwax is a regularly recurring problem.

Unfavorable condition of the cerumen, an unfavorable anatomical course of the outer parts of the auditory canal or an insufficient self-cleaning function of the ear are just as possible causes as improper manipulation. The ear should be cleaned by a physician if a plug of earwax occurs due to the risk of injury. Excessive cleaning can also lead to permanent itching or infections.

Regular cleaning of the ear canal is usually not necessary. As earwax is a natural barrier against the infestation of bacteria and fungi, as mentioned above, routine cleaning is not recommended. Excessive production of earwax can be very annoying.

It often occurs in young people during puberty.The causes are not fully understood and seem to be caused by the altered hormone balance. These changes affect sebaceous and sweat glands all over the body. They are natural and not dangerous.

Another reason for an excessive production of earwax seems to be stress or fear. Earwax is produced by special glands that are very similar to human sweat glands. In stressful situations, there is an increased production of sweat to cool the body sufficiently even during great exertion.

In addition, the glands of the ear that produce earwax are also increasingly addressed. Irritation of the auditory canal by earplugs, for example, or incorrect cleaning of the auditory canals with cotton swabs can stimulate the production of earwax. The amount of earwax production also appears to be genetically determined.

It varies from person to person similar to the amount of sweat produced. If the produced earwax is no longer sufficiently removed, the appearance of an overproduction can arise. The causes for this are manifold. These include narrowing or obstruction of the auditory canal for various reasons. This should be medically examined.